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Vol. 2, No. 12 — December 15, 2006
In This Issue:
Poinsettia Pointers
Common Orange Daylily Declared Invasive
December To-Do List
Spotlight Special: Brit Seed Catalog Customized for America
What's Blooming
Local Gardening Events
Welcome to the
Washington Garden Enews!
This is the free sister publication of Washington Gardener magazine.
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address timely seasonal topics and projects; post local garden events; and, include a monthly reminder list of what you can be doing now in your garden.
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For delivery by Christmas, gift subscription orders must be received BY December 20. The November/December 2006 Washington Gardener magazine is now out. If you subscribe by December 31, you can start your subscription with this issue. Single copies of this issue can be purchased directly from Washington Gardener. The issue is also on sale at area Borders and B. Dalton book stores. This issue's cover story is "Making Your Garden Passion Your Profession." Also in this issue: juniper selection and care guide; native plants for winter interest; a trip to Longwood Gardens holiday displays; weed-free garden beds; winter squash growing tips and recipes; and, much, much more.
Poinsettia Pointers
Big box stores are not the first source of information we here at Washington Gardener think of when researching plant matters, but when we wanted to learn all about poinsettia care, we knew that Pete Drake, a Certified Nursery Consultant with the Annapolis Home Depot, was our go-to expert on the subject. Here is what Pete told us:
- How do you choose the freshest poinsettia?
The first thing is to take the plant out of the sleeve, then look at the very center of the red bracts or leaves. You are looking for a cluster of very small green "buds" with a small amount of yellow, this is really the flower. This is a direct indication of the age of the plant. The tighter the buds with small amounts of yellow can mean a longer shelf life at home.
- How do you make your poinsettia last through the holiday season?
Place them in an area that gets bright but direct sun unless the window is facing east. This area must also be free of drafts or direct heat sources. When it becomes time to water, remove the plants "pants" (the foil or decorative pot cover). Place the plant in the sink and give it a good amount of water. For a 6" plant two cups of water should work or 5-7 seconds with a sink faucet sprayer. After the plant has stopped leaking water, place the plant back into its foil pot cover or decorative pot.
- What are the newest trends in poinsettias?
One of the most common things florists and garden centers are doing is the application of paints to the bracts to come up with different color combinations. Another trend is the many growers who are hybridizing poinsettias to get different shaped leaves. Others are making new poinsettias with different shades of the same color on the same bract.
Here are a some additional poinsettias fun facts and tips to help you grow this favorite holiday season plant:
- Poinsettias are native to Mexico. They are part of the Euphorbiaceae family. Many plants in this family ooze a milky sap. Poinsettias are a perennial flowering shrubs that can grow to 10 feet tall.
- Poinsettias were introduced into the United States in 1825 by Joel Poinsett. Poinsettias are now commercially grown in all 50 states. Ninety percent of all poinsettias are exported from the United States.
- There are over 100 varieties of poinsettias available. 74% of Americans still prefer red poinsettias; 8 percent prefer white and 6 percent pink.
- Poinsettias are the best selling potted plant in the United States. 80% of poinsettias are purchased by women and 80% percent of people who purchase poinsettias are 40 or older.
- The cost of a poinsettia is determined by the number of blooms. $220 million worth of poinsettias are sold during the holiday season.
- Poinsettias are not poisonous. A study at Ohio State University showed that a 50 pound child who ate 500 bracts might have a slight tummy ache.
- After you have made your poinsettia selection and purchase, make sure it is wrapped properly because exposure to low temperatures even for a few minutes can damage the bracts and leaves.
- Fertilize the poinsettia if you keep it past the holiday season. Apply a houseplant fertilizer once a month. Do not fertilize when it is in bloom. After the New Year, cut it back to the green leaves. New growth will sprout. Next year you’ll have a much larger plant for the holiday season.
Happy Growing!
Kathy Jentz
Editor/Publisher
Washington Gardener
P.S. Win a Pass to Brookside’s Garden of Lights: All Washington Gardener Magazine subscription and gift subscription orders received during the month of December are eligible for two chances to win passes to the Brookside Garden of Lights in Wheaton, MD. The pass is good for one car or van full of people. It includes a 10% discount on merchandise at the Marylandica Gift Shop.
Two December subscribers will be chosen at random — one on December 16 and the other on December 31 — then sent the pass directly so that they may enjoy the light show during this holiday season.
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Local Gardening Events
Here is a selection of upcoming events (December 15 - January 15) in the DC area of interest to gardeners:
DC
Victorian Kissing Ball Workshop
December 17, 1:00pm
National Cathedral at the Greenhouse, NW, Washington, DC
Create this traditional favorite from Cathedral boxwood and trimmings. These annual workshops are a holiday tradition here at the Cathedral Greenhouse. The participation fee includes fresh boxwood directly from the Cathedral grounds. Candles, candle holders, ribbons, mistletoe, and florist foam are all included.
Fee: $35. Preregistration is required.
For more information: call 202.537.6263 or go to: www.cathedral.org.
Bonsai Winter Silhouettes
December 22-31, 10:00am-3:30pm
National Arboretum, National Bonsai & Penjing Museum, International Pavilion, Special Exhibits Wing, NE, Washington, DC
Deciduous bonsai shed their leaves in the fall to reveal the intricate architecture of their trunks and branches. This exhibit will display specimens from the Museum’s collection.
Fee: $0/Free. Registration is not required.
For more information: visit: www.usna.usda.gov or call 202.245.2726.
Houseplant Care – Lessons From the Jungle
January 3, 1:00-2:30pm
United States Botanic Garden Conservatory, 100 Maryland Avenue, SW, foot of the U.S. Capitol
It’s that time of year when we can’t garden outside, so we focus our gardening energy on our houseplants. You can draw inspiration from our Jungle and the tropical plant specialist who cares for it. Ask some of your plant pest and basic care questions and then tour the Conservatory Jungle to see plants that you might consider for your home.
Fee: $0/Free. Registration is required.
For more information: call 202.226.4082 or www.usbg.gov
MD and PA
Painted Pot Gift - Children's Workshop
December 21, 4:30-5:30pm
Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton MD
Children ages 7-10 can use their creative painting skills to decorate a clay pot and saucer. Afterwards, they transform the creation into a present with a beautiful Amaryllis bulb inside ready to grow!
Fee: $12. Registration is required.
For more information: www.brooksidegardens.org
Green Remodels and Additions
January 10, 7:30-9:00pm
Kensington Library, 4201 Knowles Ave., Kensington, MD
Learn first-hand from homeowners who have expanded their homes using “green” design methods and products. Green contractor Alan Abrams and his client will relate a wealth of information about the process of green remodeling and selecting new green materials.
Fee: $0/Free. Registration is not required.
For more information: www.goinggreenathome.org, or call 301.495.1328.
Adkins Arboretum’s 2007 Art Competition
January 10 Submission Deadline
Adkins Arboretum, 12610 Eveland Road, Ridgely, MD
Adkins Arboretum in Ridgely, MD, is sponsoring its 2007 Art Competition, February 12 - March 23, 2007 for two- and three-dimensional fine arts. The theme of this year’s competition celebrates the Arboretum’s conservation mission—Discovering the Wild Landscapes of the Coastal Plain. The artists whose work is selected will be contacted by January 23 to submit the original art ready to hang by February 7. A reception will be held on Saturday, February 24, 2007, from 5-7 pm. in the Arboretum’s Visitor’s Center.
Fee: $0/Free. Registration is required.
For more information, go to www.adkinsarboretum.org or call 410.634.2847.
VA and WV
Invasives Control at Turkey Run Park
December 16, 10:00am-1:00pm
Parking Area C2, Turkey Run Park, McLean, VA
Members of the Virginia Native Plant Society have been hard at work controlling the invasive shrubs of Linden Viburnum that have been overrunning parts of Turkey Run Park. These plants are spreading fast, and through controlling them we can help protect the biodiversity of the forests and famous wildflower displays. They will be cutting shrubs with hand saws and loppers and staff will follow behind with an herbicide on the stump to prevent re-sprouting. Since it is fall, they'll also be removing the berries to send out with the trash. Bring a lunch for afterwards and they will have some snacks to share.
Fee: $0/Free. Advance sign up is required.
For more information: email PotomacGorgeVol@tnc.org or call 301.897.8570.
Beginning Floral Design
January 9- February 24 • 6-week program • Tuesdays, Thursdays 7-9PM & Saturdays 9-Noon
6700 Azalea Garden Road, Norfolk, VA
A level of training in floral design that is not taught anywhere in the region. Join others over 6 weeks and 42 hours to learn trade secrets, tour local floral shops, take home wonderful arrangements, and a skill that could be used to join local floral shops as an employee.
Fee: $525 ($485 members). Registration is required.
For more information: www.norfolkbotanicalgarden.org or call 757.441.5838.
Something a Bit Different with Water
January 14, 1:30-3:00pm
River Farm, 7931 East Boulevard Dr., Alexandria, VA
Dive into a new, natural way of designing water gardens. Tom Mannion, an award-winning landscape designer, escorts us on a virtual tour of unique water gardens. Tom's designs include a fishpond with a biological filter, a front walk descending next to a large pond, a swimming pool filled with iris and a snail-shaped swimming pool decorated with large pots of water loving plants. Swimmingly good!
Fee: $11. Registration is required.
For more information: www.greenspring.org or call 703.642.5173.
For even more area garden event notices than we can't possibly squeeze in here, become a member of our free online discussion group. To join the email list serv, just send an email to: WashingtonGardener-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
To submit an event for this listing, please contact: editor@washingtongardener.com.
Our next deadline is January 12 for the January 15 edition of this enewsletter featuring events from January 15 - February 15.
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Spotlight Special: British Seed Company Customizes Catalog for American Market
Thompson & Morgan, one of the most respected seed companies in the world is based in the Unite Kingdom. They’ve been selling seeds in Great Britain for 152 years, and they’ve been selling the same high-quality seeds in the USA for 32 years. But the 2007 Thompson & Morgan catalog is historic because it’s the first edition of the catalog that was designed especially for the U.S. market.
“We’ve learned what varieties of flowers and vegetables grow best in U.S. climates, and we’ve also learned what types of plants are favorites of American gardeners,” said Susan Jellinek, the New Jersey-based horticulturist for Thompson & Morgan.
Among the company’s standout introductions for 2007 are Digitalis purpurea ‘Candy Mountain,’ the first upward-facing foxglove available from seed, and Dahlia variabilis ‘Fireworks Mixed,’ the first striped dahlia available from seed. (The Dahlia mix is pictured here.) To order or request a catalog, contact Thompson & Morgan at 800.274.7333 or www.thompsonandmorgan.com.
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What's Blooming
Our readers reported the following blooms and items of interest in their gardens during the first week of December:
Jim Dronenburg of Knoxville, MD, has:
In bloom
Elaeagnus pungens
Roses, various. The singles are nice, the doubles are somewhat freeze-dried.
Pansies
Annual dianthus
Adenophora, forget what species
Corydalis lutea, and C. ochroleuca
Sarcococca confusa
Salvia guaranitica-- so far has not been frosted
Chrysanthemums
Camellias, various
In fruit
Arisaema sikkokianum
Callicarpa
Cornus florida
Hollies, various
Sarcococca confusa (note, black berries, not showy)
Jetbead
Wild roses
Ursula Sabia Sukinik of North Bethesda, MD, has:
Begonia gradensis (seed heads)
Callicarpa D. ‘Issai” (berries)
Camellia Blanchette
Grasses (seed heads)
Heuchera Autumn Bride
Hydrangea 'annabel' (dried flowers)
Hydrangea quercifolia (dried flowers and foliage)
Hypericum perforatum (berries)
Ilex Americana (berries)
Kale
Kerria Japonica (foliage)
Mahonia (structure)
Nandina (color and berries)
Passiflora ‘Waterloo Blue (form)
Rosa' knock out'
Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ (seed heads)
In your editor's own garden in my MD/DC-border site:
Alyssum
Callicarpa - Beautyberry (berries)
Dianthus - annual
Grasses various (seed heads)
Hydrangea (dried flowers)
Mums
Nandina (color)
Pansies
Primula
Roses - various
Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ (seed heads)
Compare to last year's December blooming lists in our December 2005 issue. Let us know what is blooming or of particular interest in your garden during the first week of January. Please include your name, city, state, and a plant list in alphabetical order. You may also send low-res digital images. Send to editor@washingtongardener.com by January 12 and we’ll note it in our January 15 issue.
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December To-Do List
We've completed a whole year of garden to-do lists for our region. Last year's December list can be found in our December 2005 issue. Here are a few more tasks and chores to add to the previous listing:
- Pick a budding gardener on your gift list to give some inspirational garden books and magazines then watch them blossom.
- Water newly planted trees and shrubs.
- Store your fertilizer and seeds in rodent-proof containers.
- Do any filling and grading around your yard. The soil will settle during the winter months.
- Vent cold frames on sunny days.
- Avoid walking in frozen planting beds.
- Remove and destroy gypsy moth egg masses.
- Clean your gutters.
- Fertilize your Cyclamens, but not other houseplants at this time.
- Prune maples, dogwoods, birch, elm, and walnut -- if needed.
- Spray broadleaf evergreens with anti-desiccant to prevent dehydration.
Bonus Tip: Some alternatives to de-icing salts include sand, light gravel (grit), or non-clumping kitty litter. Using de-icing salts around driveways and sidewalks can harm your garden plants and turf.
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Common Orange Daylily Declared Invasive
Several publications and web sites currently list the common daylily, Hemerocallis fulva, as an
invasive species. Due to its long life span and use in erosion control, H. fulva is often found
near old home sites and along drainage ditches. The same properties that allow it to flourish
in these settings with no care can also allow it to be considered invasive in certain settings
where its slowly spreading habit might displace some native plants over time.
Unfortunately there appears to be some confusion in properly identifying the rhizomatous H.
fulva species and setting it apart from the non-invasive, clump forming hybrid daylily cultivars.
To lessen the confusion, the American Hemerocallis Society (AHS) encourages use of the following
definitions to clarify the difference between the H. fulva species
and hybrid daylily cultivars which are excellent garden plants --
Invasive Species: Hemerocallis fulva
(Common names: Fulva, Tawny Daylily, Common Orange Daylily, Roadside Ditch Lily, and Tiger Lily).
H. fulva is an infertile triploid daylily which does not set seed
but does spread by rhizomes. If left unattended it can form large colonies over time.
The AHS recommends instead that home gardeners plant any of the thousands of commercially available hybrid daylily cultivars which are clump
forming and are not invasive.
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Next Issue
The January 2007 issue of Washington Gardener Enews will cover Garden Photography Tips.
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Edited by Kathy Jentz
Contact: editor@washingtongardener.com or 301.588.6894.
©Washington Gardener 2006
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